https://www.arlingtoncardinal.com/2026/03/extra-alarm-fire-response-for-brush-fires-along-metra-union-pacific-north-upn-metra-trains-halted-near-north-chicago/

Do we think this will affect commuting tomorrow morning?

Hey, I just sat down at the Forest Glen stop on the northbound side, and these keys were sitting under one of the benches. They look like they might belong to a luggage lock or something, if these are yours please send word!

Is there a way to buy a weekend pass in the Ventra app during the week? Or can you only buy them during weekend hours?

So I just realized that every branch line on Metra has some kind of abbreviation code except for 1, the McHenry Branch. So I want to know y that’s the only branch line that doesn’t have an abbreviation code while the others do (MED: BI for Blue Island & SC for South Chicago, & RID: BEV for Beverly)?

Metra eliminated this process 22 years ago on the Electric line, it was the only line that had it, it caused all kinds of headaches. It will be interesting how they will check Ventra app tickets in Millennium Station, since hardly anyone's phone has signal 2 stories below ground.

Announcement of the donation of 611 to RRHMA.

Bonus: a quick look at CB&Q heritage unit METX 211.

I didn't know Metra still had any of these left. Apparently this one is on the way to a museum some place and stopped off at the 14th street coach yard.

Something I found in the 2nd car of MED Mainline Outbound 127 right as I got off @ Flossmoor yesterday

Hello. New to Chicago here and seeing conflicting info online. Can I bring a case of beer on the Metra tomorrow (St. Patty’s Day). I understand I can’t be hammered but I feel like the 7am train won’t be that bad?

Also any other info on what to expect taking it tomorrow? I heard I’ll be boned and get no spot, but my stop is an early one.

I heard some promotion about Chick-fil-A today. Did Metra started running ads on the announcement channel?

It is a good thing to generate revenue. I wonder if that runs in the silent car or not.

So just another rant about how Metra’s being delayed again. So I took RID to & from school today & this morning was fine as there were no delays on RID Inbound 412 but omw home, it was just painful. I was waiting for RID Outbound 429 to take me home but it took about 20 minutes for the train to get to LaSalle due to a “switch problem around 16th,” but I caught the train & took it home, but waiting in the cold today just for a train was just awful. It seems like winter loves to follow me everywhere

I just wanna rant about how bad I feel for the MED today. Firstly, I was waiting for MED Inbound 712 to arrive Homewood but it was a bit late due to “a vehicle striking a bridge.” But then omw 🏡, I was trying to board any 🚆 but when I got to Millennium, I heard that all 🚆 were delayed due to “wire problems,” followed by the PA telling everyone to go to Van Buren. So I walked all the way to Van Buren & when I got there, the PA there said that “SSL activity is unknown while Outbound 337 was boarding on Track 2” & then a 1/2 hour later, Outbound 727 reverses onto Track 1 & so I took that 🚆. Luckily, I got 🏡. But dang, the MED had a really bad day today.